I am looking to put together an Axiom setup. The room is 15'x15'x17'. Not really a big room but a decent ceiling height. I have debated about whether to go with the M22s or the M60s as the fronts. Budget is leaning me towards the 22s. The listening area (couch) would be about 8'-10' from the speakers. I would say I listen to movies/music at a moderate level. Not really loud, but enough to be involved in a great action flick. I would say the breakdown of listening would be 70% movies, and 30% music. I would buy a sub, hopefully one of the cheaper HSU or SVS series. I am concerned about the volume level. Will the M22s have clarity and be clear at a moderate listening level?
A 17' ceiling? Really? My room is roughly the size of yours in l x w dimensions, and I have have pushed into the 100's on the SPL meter briefly, which means uncomfortably loud. 90's are no sweat though normally I'm running @ around 85-90. They are pretty efficient: I reach reference level (85) at about -17db on the dial. I use the M22's with an EP350 for the sub.
Considering that you will be doing 70% movies and 30% music, and that you plan on a buying a sub, my response to "Will the M22s have clarity and be clear at a moderate listening level?" -- is not just yes, but hell yes!
I have owned the m22s, and now own the m60. For watching movies at moderate levels, I really could not tell much of a difference at all (my room is bigger than yours).
Hmmm. Ok, I did not see the 17 foot ceilings. Well, I still say that the m22s will still be just fine.
What "reference level" means? I 've seen the term come up alot lately
Given the unique dimensions of the room, this question might make sense to ask Axiom via phone.
It depends on who is defining it - Dolby and THX have different levels, I think. Often, people are referring to 85 dB, unless I am mistaken.
That is over 3800cu ft of space...
Maybe it was just Alan from Axiom "upselling" me, but I have about that much volume in my area, but with a ceiling of 8 feet, it is more spread out. I was going to go with the same setup you are, but he said that I would be better off moving up to the M60ti fronts, and making sure I had a nice big (12"+ sub)... This was with me sitting about 11 feet away from the speakers too.
With that said, I am sure that there ARE benefits of going to the M60ti for more than frequency range, but for room volume compensation, but I wonder how much it really matters with speakers that are pointed right at the listening position. I am sure that I have some measurable gain in sound with the M60ti for air volume, but I wonder if it is worth 2x the price... Hmmmm.
Now that I have rambled on, you will be very happy with your M22 fronts, but if you have the money to spend (wish I had more) you may want to look at the M60ti, if not, grab a set of M22 speakers and be happy, be very happy...
I'm pretty sure that cubic footage above the 8 foot mark is less a factor for your main speakers than it is for your sub. The tweeter and mid information is pretty directional and won't get lost near your ceiling.
My understanding is the same -- cubic feet drives your sub sizing, square feet tends to affect distance from the speakers which affects your main / center / surround sizing.
For full-range speakers, I guess both cubic feet (bass) and square feet / seating distance (everything) make a difference, which is how we keep ending up with M80s
I have M22s with a Velodyne CHT-8 in a room that is 20 X 24 X 20 and open on 2 sides. I have an HK AVR 235 (65 watts for stereo) with the signal split 3 ways for 3 rooms/zones. With the receiver set to "0" (range = -80 to +15) I can get music at 90 to 92 dB that is very clear. From the loft above, when I play classical music (with the receiver set about -10), it sounds like a string quartet is set up in my living room below. In a room that size, the M22s will never make it sound like "The Who" is playing in the living room (although M80s might pull it off), but from what you are describing the M22s will probably work for you... ... ... ... but you'd never regret getting the M60s either.
Yes, 85db seems to be the norm as far as reference level around here.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but for as long as I've been going through these boards I've never heard of anyone from Axiom "Upselling". Sorry this rubbed me the wrong way.
I know when I've called (a couple times) and emailed I was always told I didn't need or the space wouldn't warrant getting the speakers I was looking at. i.e. M80s.
In reply to:
Sorry this rubbed me the wrong way
yea, i dont think nick was saying that in a bad way. he was simply referring to the fact that it was suggested to him that the bigger speakers would make a better use of the space avail. i dont think he is bitter about it or nothing?
axiom is very up front and honest with its speaker recommendations. you are correct, that has never even been an issue.
bigjohn
I guess the point is that if they Axiom said you needed larger speakers then you probably needed larger speakers